Awning attachment.



C. P. SESTER. AWNING ATTACHMENT.

APPLIUATIONFILED 1111115, 190s.

Patented Jan. 18,1910.'

UNITED `STATES PATENT UFFIC.

CHARLES P. SESTER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

.AWNING ATTACHMENT.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES I. SEsTnR, a citizen of vthe United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Awning Attachments; andI do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to the operating mechanism for raising andlowering awnings, and has for its object to improve the mounting for oneof the gears of the operating mechanism and the mode of connecting theoperating shaft thereto; further, to improve the devices forfrictionally holding one of said gears against rotation.

The present invention is an improvement upon the operating mechanism forraising and lowering awnings, shown and described in an application forpatent filed by me on the 14th day of May, 1908, bearing Serial No.432,942.

That the invention may be more fully understood, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimprovements in operating mechanism for raising and lowering awnings,showing the operating shaft and crank for actuating the gears; Fig. 2 isa cross-section as the same would appear on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrow shown in said figure; Fig. 3 is across section as the same would appear on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrow shown in said figure; Fig. 4 is aface view of a bearing plate; Fig. 5 is an end view of the plate seen inFig. 4; Fig. 6 is a face view of a spring bearing plate; Fig. 7 is anedge view of plate seen in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an end view of a collar,and Fig. 9 is a cross section of the collar seen in Fig. 8.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout thefigures.

1 denotes a bracket formed of the overlying yoke-portions 2 and 3 whichare united at one end in the transverse bearing plate 4 and at theiropposite ends are united in the supporting plate 5 from which extendoutwardly, then upwardly and downwardly, the legs 6 and 7, by means ofwhich the bracket may be attached securely to a wall Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application led March 5, 1909.

Patented J an. 18, 1910.

Serial No. 481,241.

of a building or other place of attachment. In the leg 6 is an opening8, while in the leg 7 is provided a transverse slot 9. Vhen securing thebracket 1 to a wall or other suitable place of attachment, bolts arepassed through the opening 8 in leg 6 and slot 9 in leg 7 the slot 9being provided to allow the bracket to be adjusted and secure perfectalinement of the driving shaft, to be described, when the bracket may besecurely fastened in place.

10 denotes a worm-wheel which is adapted to be carried in the bracket 1between the overlying yoke-portions 2 and 3 thereof, and said wheel hasthe squared opening 11 therethrough. I secure the worm-wheel 10 inoperative position in the bracket 1, in the following manner: 12 and 13denote similar collars, each having a flange 14, the reduced tubularportions 15 and the squared openings 16 extending through said collars,as shown. The tubular portion 15 of collar 12 is inserted through anopening 17 in the portion 2 of bracket 1 and the tubular portion 15 ofthe collar 13 is inserted through an opening 18 in the portion 3 of saidbracket. When the collars 12 and 13 are in operative position, theirflanges 14 are in juxtaposition to the lower and upper faces of therespective portions 2 and 3 of the bracket and between the collars thereis j ust sufficient space to insert the worm-wheel 10, when theoperating shaft 19, which is preferably squared, is inserted, first,through the square opening in collar 12, thence through the squareopening in the wheel 10 and then passed through the squared opening incollar 13; in this way, a suitable bearing is provided for the lower endof shaft 19 and the wheel 10 is conveniently and securely retained inoperative position in the bracket 1.

20 denotes a bearing plate, which is similar in outline to thetransverse bearing plate 4, but instead of being united or formedintegral with the portions 2 and 3 of the bracket, this bearing plate 20is adapted to be detachably connected with the bracket 1, by beinginserted. between the portions 2 and 3, adjacent to the supportingplatel 5, see Fig. 2, and is bolted to said plate, by a bolt 21, whichis passed through the plates 2() and 5, with the threaded end of thebolt projecting through the plate 5, and before securing the bolt 21 inplace by a nut 22, a friction bearing plate 23 is slipped over saidbolt, with the free end of the plate Q3 eX- tending out beyond one sideof the plate and bent inwardly at 2f-Lt to bring the outer portionthereof in proximity to the outer face of the bearing plate 20. lIheobject of a detachable bearing plate, such as 20, and the frictionbearing plate 23, will now be explained.

The worm-wheel 10 is operated by a worm 2st, in mesh therewith, andt-his worm has reduced tapered hub portions 25 and 26 journaledrespectively in the bearing plates at and Q0 and the worm has a squareopening 2T therethrough, whereby the shank 28 of a crank 29, may beinserted in said worm, when it is desired to operate the worm fortransmitting motion to the shaft 19 through wornrwheel l0, for operatingan awning roller which may be operatively connected with said shaft 19.

A. worm and worm wheel of the usual construction and under ordinaryconditions will form a lock of themselves without the aid of additionalmeans for holding the same against rotation, but in the presentinstance, where the worm is provided with two threads, as will bedescribed, the wheels will not become locked when released, hence it isnecessary to employ suitable means for locking the wheels againstrotation for holding the awning in whatever' position it may be placed,raised or lowered. To do this, I employ what I have described as thefriction bearing plate 23, which is preferably a spring plate adapted toengage and bear against the hub portion 26 of the worm 24, see Fig. 2.Under ordinary conditions and when used in connection with awnings of agiven size, the bearing of the plate against the hub of the worm issuliicient in itself to produce enough pressure to hold the worm againstturning; but as the awnings increase in size, I have found that it isnecessary to increase the frictional bearing of the plate Q3 against theworm 24, to insure a proper holding of the worm. To do this, I providethe bearing plate Q0 with a yoke-portion 30, see Figs. 2, 4f and 5through which the engaging end of plate Q3 is carried, and having athreaded engagement with the wall of said yoke-portion 30 is a set-screw3l which may or may not be brought to bear with considerable forceagainst the engaging end of plate 23 and thereby increase or decreasethe frictional bearing of said plate 23 against the hub of the worin 24.It will be noted that the point of contact of the set-screw 3l with theplate 23 is to one side of the axial center of the worm 21k, preferablyto the side nearest the connection of the plate Q3 to the bracket which,although the set-screw 3l may be brought to bear with considerable forceagainst the plate 23, the end of the plate 23 will maintain aconsiderable degree of resiliency against the hub of the worin and notmaterially interfere with the manual operation of said worm. By the useof the friction bearing plate 23, not only does it perform the functionsjust described, but it also has a tendency to hold the worm projectedone way, and it is well known that a worm will wear in one direction andbecome loose, but with the plate 23, such a condition is whollyobviated.

If the plate 2O was integral with the bracket l, it would be impossibleto place the worm 24 in position in said bracket, butby making the plate2O detachable, the worin may have its hub portion 25 inserted in itsbearing in the plate 4, when the plate 2O may be secured in place, inthe position seen in the ligure. To prevent oscillation of this plate Q0after it is secured in position, it is provided with the shoulders 32which bear against the upper and lower portions 2 and 8 of the bracket1.

It is not new to employ a worm and worm wheel for operating the rollerof an awning, but I believe I am the first to employ a worm such as Ishow. This worm has two threads, which are indicated as 33 and 3ft. Aworin with only one thread is very slow in its operation and for thisreason undesirable, as one revolution of the worm will move only onetooth of the worm-wheel, but with a worm having two threads, two teethof the worm-wheel are moved with each revolution of the worm andtherefore produces a practical operating means and will operate as fastas is desirable in an apparatus of this chracter.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is :H

l. In combination, a bracket having a yoke with overlying portions, aflanged collar having a bearing in the upper portion of the yoke, aflanged collar having a bearing in the lower portion of the yoke, andeach of said collars having alined squared openings, a worm-wheelcarried between the said collars, also having a squared opening, and asquare shaft fitting in collars and wheel to unite the same.

2. In combination, a bracket having superimposed bearing platesrespectively and in axial alinement with circular openings therein,spaced collars fitting in said plates, each collar having a tubularportion fitting the opening in the plate and provided with a flangelying in juxtaposition to said plate, a gear wheel interposed betweensaid plates, and means for operatively uniting wheel and collars.

3. In combination, a yoke constituting a bracket, said yoke being formedwith over and underlying portions and a bearing plate integraltherewith, a gear wheel having a suitable bearing between the over andunderlying portions of said yoke, a bearing plate adapted to have adetachable connection with said bracket, a second gear wheel adapted tohave a bearing between the bearing plate of the yoke and said detachablebearing plate and in mesh with said first mentioned gear, a frictionbearing plate bearing against one end of said second gear, and means forincreasing the frictional engagement of the plate against said gear.

Ll. In combination, a bracket, a wormwheel having a suitable bearing insaid bracket, a worm also suitably journaled in said bracket and havingtwo threads in mesh with said worm-wheel whereby with each revolution ofsaid worm, said worm-wheel will be moved the distance of two teeth, afriction bearing plate bearing against one end of said worm, and meansfor increasing the frictional engagement of the plate against the worm.

5. In combination, a yoke constituting a bracket, said yoke being formedwith over and underlying portions and a bearing plate integral therewithand extending at right angles thereto, a worm-wheel suitably journaledbetween the over and underlying portions of said yoke, a bearing plateadapted to have a detachable connection with said bracket, and spacedapart from the bearing plate integral with the bracket,a yoke attachedto said detachable plate, a worm adapted to have a bearing between theintegral and detachable bearing plates of the yoke, and in mesh withsaid worm-wheel, a frictional bearing plate suitably connected at oneend to the bracket, its opposite end extending through the yoke of thedetaohable plate and engaging said worm, and means adjustable in theyoke for causing said frictional bearing plate to bear more or lessagainst said worm.

G. In combination, a bracket, a shaft having one end ournaled in saidbracket, a gear carried by said shaft, a second gear operativelyconnected with said first mentioned gear, a plate supported by saidbracket and having one end in engagelnent with said second gear forfrictionally holding said second gear against rotation, and a threadedmember adapted to engage said plate for in creasing the frictionalengagement of the plate against the gear.

7. In combination, a bracket, a wormwheel journaled in said bracket, ashaft connected with the wormwheel, a worm also journaled in saidbracket and in mesh with said worm-wheel, a plate supported on thebracket transversely to the axis of the worm with its free end inengagement with the worm, and a set screw for causing said plate to bearmoreor less against said worm.

8. In combination, a bracket, a wormwheel journaled in said bracket, ashaft connected with the worm-wheel, a worm also journaled in saidbracket and in mesh with said worm-wheel, a plate supported on thebracket transversely to the axis of the worm and its free end inengagement with the worm, an arm connected with said bracket and a setscrew operatively connected with said arm to one side of the axis ofsaid worm, and arranged to engage the plate for causing said plate tobear more or less against said worm.

9. In combination, a bracket having superimposed bearing plates and atransverse bearing plate integral therewith, a shaft journaled in saidsuperimposed plates, a worm-wheel carried on said shaft between saidsuperimposed plates, a transverse bearing plate detachable from saidbracket, a bolt for securing said last-mentioned plate to the bracket, ayoke formed on the detachable plate, a worm journaled in said transversebearing plate and in mesh with said wormwheel, a friction bearing platesecured to the bracket by means of the bolt aforesaid, its free endpassing through the yoke on the detachable plate and engaging with theworm and a set screw having a threaded engagement with the wall of theyoke, and adapted to engage with the friction bearing plate for causingsaid plate to bear more or less against the worm.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

cHARLEs r. snsrnn.

Witnesses CI-IAs. W. LA PORTE, RoB'r. N. MoGoRMIoK.

